Steps to Becoming More Eco-Friendly

There has been a lot of talk this year about the escalating climate crisis affecting our globe. The amount of information, discussion, debate and controversy can feel overwhelming, so much so that it is normal to feel helpless. What can one person out 7.8 billion people do to help our planet

A lot. You can do a lot. Yes, there needs to be massive changes on the part of governments and corporations, but individuals can take small steps to make a massive difference. Make your home more eco-friendly this year by taking on board these tips.

Buy Local

Have you checked out your local farmers market, or seen local produce in the supermarket? Buying local both supports New Zealand growers and reduces your shop’s carbon footprint. When we purchase goods from overseas, we are also paying for the carbon released in transit. Local, seasonal produce tends to be fresher, better for you and cheaper. Everyone wins when you support local!

Recycle

This will come as no surprise, be recycling truly is one of the easiest, and most effective ways to improve your carbon footprint. Recycling both reduces the amount of raw materials required in the production process, and also reduces the build-up of waste in landfills. There are approximately 100 landfills in NZ which process the 734kgs of waste each New Zealander produces in a year. Recycling reduces the waste that ends up here, where even biodegradable materials remain for years. As these are tightly packed, anaerobic environments (meaning there is little, if any, oxygen available), things cannot breakdown effectively.

Compost

Why chuck your biodegradable waste in the bin to be ferried off to a landfill, when you could support your garden with a compost bin. About 50% of the food waste New Zealanders send to landfills is avoidable. Composting is a great alternative to throwing out that food waste. Composting, basically, is letting organic matter decompose and return to the earth. Plus, your garden will love you for using our home-made compost over commercial fertilizers that tend to be very high in nitrates and phosphorus, which can be harmful if introduced into the waterways. 

Check Out Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Today, there are so many eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products that work just as, or better than their harmful counterparts. If you are looking for an easy solution, check out Eco Store for plant and mineral-based cleaners. Alternatively, you can make your own eco-friendly cleaners at home. For example, next time your floors need a spot of love, combine 1 tablespoon of liquid soap and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 2 litres of hot water. A drop or two of essential oils such as eucalyptus will make it smell as great as it works! 

By incorporating little changes to your life, you can make a big difference to the planet, and make it a better home for your grandkids to grow up in. What things are you going to try?

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